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Originally Posted by BARK
You're too quick to jump to conclusions AYFR. This is the biggest problem with Christians. They think there is only one way to interpret the bible. Any thing that sounds different than what their pastor teaches them has to be wrong.
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You're correct in some cases, but you're also taking great liberty with that generalization. If I'm not mistaken, you share the same sentiment when speaking about islam.
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Originally Posted by BARK
The thing about the gifts. I do use my gifts, don't you think. My gifts have lead me to believe as I do now. Before I used them I had faith in God. Why would God give me a gift that destroys my faith?
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Are you saying you don't have faith in God at present?
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Originally Posted by BARK
Just because I believe that true knowledge can not be taught by Rick Warren or anyone; what I believe is that true knowledge comes from learning by going to the source directly. I won't take Rick Warrens interpretation as my own, because it is not my own. I will not take Pat Robertsons as my own because it is not my own. I will not take the spin or bias of another who has studied a book that I can read myself.
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AYFR was not telling you to replace the Bible with Rick Warren's book. People are unique and can offer a variety of new angles to any given topic. That was the point.
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Originally Posted by BARK
Why should anyone trust the fate of their soul to someone elses interpretation? Because it feels right? In persuasion the goals is to make one feel. Because they know more than I do? Then fix that yourself. Go learn. Those who stake their soul blindly on the words of another are in my book lazy. Now I mean nothing bad to those who have read the bible, but you have to read it without preconcieved ideas.
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A genuine Christian will not tell you to trust your soul on interpretation or what feels right. Also, if a person decides to read out of the Bible, they are either reading with an open heart or for entertainment purposes only. This is a black and white issue.
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Originally Posted by BARK
Look some will trust their soul to the words of another man who may or may not have your best interest at heart. Some very dirty things are done by men and pastors and preachers are no exception. I trust me. I don't have just a heartful of trust for someone who smile at me on sundays.
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People are inherently sinfull. Everybody will sin regardless of title.
However this is not what stands out among the rest of what you said. Your violent withdrawl from AYFR's recommendation of Christian literature gives the impression of a closed-minded individual. Not painting you with that brush, just the impression it gives the reader.
Also, you talk about knowledge as an ultimate goal of achievement which may only be reached through self-impowerment. Your arrogance has alluded to this perspective many other times. Overall, I think you've given knowledge too much authority. It is only one component of intelligence.
The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man. Euripides